About ICI

WHO WE ARE

Independent Colleges of Indiana is the collective voice for excellence and choice in higher education for all students. As a non-profit association, ICI represents Indiana’s 30 private, non-profit, regionally-accredited colleges and universities.

What We Do

Public Policy Advocacy, especially in the cause of state and federally-funded student financial aid;

Public Information and Research about the performance and contributions of the independent college sector in Indiana;

Corporate and Foundation Fundraising, with all funds raised by ICI disbursed to member colleges;

Development of Collaborative Services, such as group purchasing and shared services among our campuses;

Administration of the Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship Program, along with other scholarships and grants.

Year Founded

% Students Receiving Financial Aid

Schools Represented

ICI Students

Our History

Founded in 1948 as the Associated Colleges of Indiana, originally to serve as a fund-raising organization for Indiana’s independent colleges;

Has the distinction of being the first cooperative statewide association of independent colleges in the nation;

Became the merged entity of Independent Colleges of Indiana in 2005, when the Independent Colleges of Indiana Foundation legally became part of ICI.

Our President

David Wantz is the president and CEO of the Independent Colleges of Indiana. Founded in 1948 and headquartered in Indianapolis, ICI is a nonprofit association representing Indiana’s 31 private, nonprofit colleges and universities. Wantz succeeds Richard L. Ludwick, who will become president of the University of St. Thomas (Houston, Texas) in July 2017.

For more than three decades, Wantz served the University of Indianapolis in various positions, most recently as interim executive vice president and provost. Other roles include full-time professor, dean of students, director of corporate and foundation giving, and special assistant to the president for community and government relations.

He has served as interim director of public safety for both Indianapolis Mayors Ballard and Hogsett. Current chair of the Indianapolis Public Library Board of Trustees and member of the Indianapolis Police Department Merit Board, he was awarded the Sagamore of the Wabash in 2013 by the Governor. His extensive background in community development dates to the start of his career as a police officer in Baltimore (MD) and then as training director at the Indiana Law Enforcement Academy.

“David has the experience, temperament, relationships, and knowledge to lead ICI,” says Dr. Bill Katip, chair of the ICI Board and president of Grace College. “We believe he has the ability to address the challenges facing independent higher education today.”

Wantz holds a bachelor’s degree in sociology from Milligan College (Tennessee); master’s in business from the University of Indianapolis; and master’s in education and doctorate in counseling and counselor education from Indiana University, Bloomington.

“I am so excited for this opportunity,” says Wantz, “to blend my understanding of private higher education, my work in civic engagement, and my experience in government relations to tell the story of how valuable our 31 private colleges and universities are to the state of Indiana.”

He and his wife Susan reside on the southside of Indianapolis; they have two adult children. Wantz is an avid woodworker and the couple enjoys traveling the United States in their Airstream.

Our Governance

ICI is under the supervision of its Board of Directors comprised of forty-five directors unless otherwise indicated. The majority of the board’s members are known as “Designated Directors,” and are presidents of the ICI member institutions whose terms are coterminous with his or her service as the president of their institution. The Designated Directors may set a number of “Elected Directors” who represent both legislative and corporate interests. The President/CEO of ICI serves as an ex-officio voting member of the Board of Directors.

ICI Center

ICI Center is located in the Kite Building. The entrance is between Napolese and Oceanaire restaurants. Walk in and you will immediately see the security desk. Please give them your name and the person at ICI you are coming to see. Security will call us or check an attendee list to allow you entrance. Take an elevator up to the 8th floor. Turn left out of the elevator and proceed to the end of the hall. Take the hall to the right to find the restrooms.

Sun Garage: We recommend the Sun Garage mall parking. Enter on the left side of Washington Street between Meridian and Illinois. You will see the Arts Garden over the street ahead. Take the escalator to Mall level 1 and take the walkway through the old Carson’s store to Washington Street. Turn right and walk to the corner. Turn right again on Meridian and walk half a block to our entrance just past Napolese Restaurant on the right side of the street.

Moon Garage: If Sun Garage is full, continue south on Meridian and turn right on Georgia Street. The garage entrance is half a block down on the right. There is a stair well behind the entrance that will take you up to Georgia Street; turn left and walk past Burger Study to the corner. Turn left again and walk a block and a half to our entrance on the left side of the street just past Oceanaire restaurant.

Street meter parking with limits of 2-4 hours may also be available. Click here for directions for using the meter and paying with a credit card. You are also able to add additional time on the meter from your smartphone using the Parkmobile app from wherever you are. Our zip code for searching is 46204.

In bad weather, you may take the escalator or elevator up to the third floor of the mall (M3) and call us at 317-236-6090. We will meet you at the food court and escort you in the back entrance.

Forgot something or just need to drop something off? 20 Minute parking is located directly in front of our building. Let Security know you will be right back.